Your World Cup 2014 USMNT Jersey Buyer’s Guide

Not the World Cup either, more important. Like the opposite of January Camp important.

It’s time to decide whose US jersey you are going to rock for the foreseeable future, the one that will give you soccer cred at the bar (Wow, he must read TSG is what everyone will be thinking) and if you are lucky enough to be headed to Brazil, to rock with pride as you support America.

Just in time for the holidays too!

Don’t take this decision lightly. A ‘friend’ of mine has a Freddy Adu slate gray US jersey at the back of his closet that he fears wearing in daylight for the incredible shame that would be cast upon his family.

Without further Freddy, we take to the TSG stage to discuss the pros, cons and statements you’ll make at the bar flashing the last name of somebody you probably don’t know and certainly don’t play as well as.

Maybe Aaron Ramsey, but certainly no one else in a US shirt. Bedoya had a great Gold Cup, made a big move to Nantes in France, has helped them to the top half of the French table so far, and has been popping up in US starting lineups all fall.

Right now, I see him as the impact sub-possible starter who could make a big difference in Brazil for the US.

He is also young, so this is a good investment for the future, plus you will quickly be able to tell if someone has followed the US more than the highlights on ESPN when they come up to you and ask if your last name is Bedoya and look rather confused when you say no. No please, tell me more about this up and coming ‘Dempsey’ guy, I have never heard of him sir.

E: I can’t really argue against Bedoya especially given his current form (actually scored again as of writing this) for Nantes, but you are digging deep into the jersey hipster well on this one. I think December might be a bit too early to splash the cash for Alejandro, but once May comes around I think you’ll be in a better position to see how he will fit in with the team.

Buy, but wait until Spring. (Editor’s note: There are no “puts” and “calls” on soccer kits. Our apologies.)

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Michael Bradley

B: Mr. Bradley is a terrible pick for me.

Mainly because I picked up his red and white hoops jersey last summer as I saw him emerging as a monster in the midfield. Now, after a great season for Roma and a World Cup qualifying campaign that cemented him as the best player in CONCACAF, you could say Bradley is the easy choice for any true US fan who understands what drives the team.

Really, what screams SEX APPEAL more than a Lex Luthor looking fellow who maintains the midfield like a well oiled clock tower?

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Lots of things. In fact, almost everything. But sex appeal doesn’t win you World Cups, just ask SEXY ALEXI. No really, that is the title of this clip, and the top result when you google sexy Alexi Lalas. I wouldn’t know, my computer googled it on its own. Really.

E: I think this will end up being the top selling jersey leading up to World Cup 2014.

He’s running the midfield for the USMNT and has managed to eek out some quality minutes in the Roma midfield, hopefully keeping the “BRADLEY NEEDS TO GO OUT ON LOAN IN JANUARY!” cries at bay. This shirt will ultimately prove to be timeless and could be worn for years and years and years.

Buy, unless kryptonite is your secret weakness.

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Jozy Altidore

B: I’m guessing this will be a hot pick for 2014, and I certainly say jump on the bandwagon. I want to see Jozy succeed ever so much, and hopefully he does in Brazil. He’s played quite well in the US shirt of late, and everyone likes forwards, especially young talented ones who hang out with Money Mayweather. So grab that Jozy shirt, and know that you will never be the only one with it on, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

B: Let’s put it this way, if Brek manages to crack the roster and then does something amazing at the World Cup, you will be the only guy at the bar with his shirt, and people will likely hail you as a visionary and buy you shots of Jack Daniels (guessing that is what Brek drinks.)

If not, at least your life will be full of laughter, mainly people laughing at you for purchasing a jersey for a guy who is struggling to break into a bottom five EPL team. The one positive you will always have with this jersey on is that you can rock your hair any way you like. Literally. Just tell them you are trying to look like Mr. Shea and BOOM good to go.

E: When I lived in DC, my friends and I would go to the bar to watch US games and had a longstanding agreement that if Brek managed to find the back of the net, we would all do Jager-bombs because THAT is what Brek surely drinks. Unfortunately, he never managed to score during that time and nobody I watch games with here wants to take them with me.

Wait, what were we talking about?

It pains me to say this, but Buy for the LOLz, Pass for the soccer.

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John Brooks

JAB-ulani!

B: Dark horse World Cup starter right here, especially since he hasn’t been fully capped. Realistically, this dude is going to be gooooood.

This is the one ‘Yeah I follow the US really intently and decided to get this jersey because I’m both knowledgeable and good looking’ pick that I am really on board with.

I think he will be a mainstay for the USMNT for years to come, so you will be looking good in this jersey for the next 9-13 years I do believe. May not get a ton of credit in 2014 though, so it really depends if you are more of a stale donut now or a fresh donut later type of person.

E: John Brooks will be the man and will hopefully potentially solidify the US backline for the next 10 years. However, if we are basing this purely for the World Cup next summer, I think you have to Pass for now because I’m not 100% sure he a) plays for the US and b) that he makes the trip to Brazil. Once he gets cap-tied, you’ll have to fight me to get to the head of the line to get his shirt, but until then, I’d save that money for someone else.

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Fabian Johnson

Let the record reflect that this here publication called it first. Fab J as the USMNT Chief Hipster. Sayin’!

B: Any excuse to run around yelling “WE’VE GOT A BETTER JOHNSON THAN YOU” is something I am always for.

Wearing your Johnson with pride certainly will make all others respect you, even when it is hard to do so. Okay, I’ll stop now. Fab seems primed for a big World Cup, and will play a critical role for US plus he will be around for a while. This is both a good investment currently and for the future.

E: What would buying a Fabian Johnson jersey say about you? Nobody quite knows what your best position is or how best to use you. Do you want people to think that about you? I don’t know. I think he’s a great player and definitely is an upgrade at a position but nobody knows where? Is he a left back? Left mid? The uncertainty worries me. Eddie Johnson I may have been on board with but Fabian gets a Pass, like that sexy pass he gave Jozy in Seattle.

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Aron Jóhannsson

E: Everyone has been all a flutter about Aron Jóhannsson and why shouldn’t they be. He can’t stop scoring for AZ and he finally got off the snide for the US down in Panama. The kid is a true fox in the box striker that the US has been lacking since the days Joe-Max Moore was foxing that box. The fact that he nearly started an international relations fiasco with Iceland is icing on the cake.

B: Your heart may be racing E, but at least spell his name right! You forgot an S (E Note: :(). Outside of that, young Kevin ‘Iceman’ Bacon certainly looks like he is going to be rocking the US shirt for a long time and he looks goooooooddddddd. Hey world, guess what? America has talent up top, and they are young, good looking, ready to steal your women and poach your goals. Prepare yourselves, the American goals are coming.

Buy NOW, before Iceland tries to purchase it first.

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Fly like a butterfly, shoot like …. one too?

E: Terrence Boyd may not make it to Brazil and if he does he’ll probably get #23 and sit down at the end of the bench next to Nick Rimando, but I don’t care! I Iove it! The kid loves America! He’s probably the most ‘murrican player the US has as proven by the AMERICAN FLAG TATTOO HE GOT ON HIS ARM! Just scroll through the man’s Instagram feed and it puts the rest of us that were born in America to shame. Do it for apple pie, the Statue of Liberty, and for Bald Eagles.

B: Terrence gets on the field in that last friendly and immediately looks for a shot on goal. He’ll shoot from anywhere, and has the confidence that it will go in. Plus, dude’s a boss. He and Brek probably go out and shoot those guns together on the weekend, then seduce good looking European ladies after. Just look at that Instagram feed, how can you not like him? He busts his ass for the shirt, so you should bust your ass to get it.

Buy if you love AMERICA and FREEDOM and EAGLES.

Don’t if you are BORING.

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Mix Diskerud

E: I like Mix. I reaaaalllly like Mix. I thought he’s be great every time I’ve seen him in a US shirt and thought last year’s this summer’s Gold Cup was almost a “breaking out” party for Mix. He’s young so he should be around for a while and there’s some old folks currently in that midfield *cough* Jermaine *cough* and he should very well prove to be the perfect complement to MB for years to come.

B: DAT HAIR. Mix seems like the type of guy you grab dinner with before you go out, you wingman for each other (he clearly doesn’t need the help) at the bar, and then you go over to his place to play FIFA the next afternoon before you all go play pickup in the park. Sorry Mix, I just want to be your friend, that’s all. You play nice futbol too.

Buy, and hope somehow it makes you grow magic locks too.

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Blank

E: Kind of a cop out, but whatever, we’ll all deal with it. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been more inclined to purchase just straight up blank jerseys. Classic, timeless, elegant, can wear out for a night on the town, and you won’t have to worry about Player XYZ not living up to his potential.

B: BOOORRRINNNNGGG. Life is a gamble E, live a little. Too many of the US kits have been far from timeless for this to be a good idea. If you don’t want to take a risk, pick up a Donovan or a Dempsey kit, those are both timeless players for your shirt and no one can harass you about how the guy on the back of your shirt is playing somewhere in the third division in Brazil (thanks Freddy Adu!)

PASS, we are going to live a little here!

E: Fine, no blank, but whatever you do, don’t put your own name on the back of the jersey. Unless it is actually your jersey. I remember way back in college I was sitting in class and this girl in front of me had a USWNT jersey with a name on it that I didn’t recognize. “She put her own name on the shirt,” I scoffed to myself. The next day, I was flipping through the school newspaper and there was a piece on that girl who had just gotten back from the 2006 U-20 Women’s World Championship in Russia. In that instance, it’s allowed.

Do you know when Nike is going to release the kits? I would have thought it would be in time for Christmas [like Adidas]…

Going to buy my wife one with 6 – Massachusetts was the 6th state to join the Union. But the question is, do I get “Massachusetts” [or abbreviation] printed too or leave it ambiguous? As fellow soccer fans, is that something cool or is it remarkably corny — thoughts?

I must admit, I got the idea from somebody I saw in South Africa during the World Cup – but did not know it was a common theme with The American Outlaws. Good to know, because we actually go to the AO bar in Brooklyn to watch Team US games [have not noticed it there].

I might wear one in a few more WC cycles – cannot bring myself to do it just yet!

Thoughtful to pick a number based on your wife’s home state. In terms of actually putting “Mass…” on the back, the key is what your wife might think. You want her to wear the shirt. So if you’re concerned that might create a disincentive, the safer path would be to go with no name on the back. And the Massachusetts reference can be a secret meaning between you and your wife. My two cents.

Is Donavan too played out? What about a “Deuce” 23? Bradley is my favorite soccer player, but that is my first born son’s name (not named after any soccer Bradley, he is named after a friend that died tragically).

Bradley #4 is well-known enough that any of your soccer-knowledgeable friends will recognize that there isn’t a link to your kid. Those that wonder are opportunities to convert new fans. Viva la Free Beer Movement!

How does supporting a particular MLS team affect one’s decision regarding choosing a player’s name on your national team top? Does that rivalry cross over exist is US soccer yet? For example, if you’re an ardent SKC fan, would you only consider Besler or Zusi? Would wearing a Donovan, Gonzalez or Dempsey question your allegiance to SKC?

I’m a SKC fan and have a Dempsey jersey. It was from before he joined Seattle but that wouldn’t sway my decision away from it. However, I did get a Zusi USMNT jersey for my girlfriend for Christmas and she mostly loves him because he plays for KC and the US (and he’s dreamy but I’m okay with that).

You obviously don’t see it amongst fans of smaller teams [because we generally don’t have England internationals], but out of all my friends who support the Big Six, I have never seen it. It is especially true between Liverpool and Man United fans.

I’m kinda surprised Besler and Zusi were omitted from this article. I think a Cameron jersey would get lots of respect too. I think I might go for a Besler to replace my Bocanegra from the last cycle. And no, the irony that Besler essentially pushed Boca off the Nats roster isn’t lost on me.

Fabian Johnson, for me, is indispensible at left mid. We want to be a dynamic team with a solid balance between athleticism, hardwork, and savvy possession, he makes the possession part possible. He’s not a burner down the wing- everyone else is a burner. He sits out there, gets up and down, and makes the passes happen. Sure, Donovan could also play out there, so could Brek Shea, but there’s something special that happens when he plays there. Suddenly, teams have to worry about through balls and interchange as much as a bursting run down the right flank or a long run from Bradley, or Dempsey deciding him and Jozy should just do this thing.

Essentially, I love Johnson on that wing, and think it’s our best chance to get out of the group, as long as Beasley holds up.

I just saw the ‘leaked’ US World Cup kit – why do you keep chopping and changing your home colours? What a waste of an opportunity to build an identity! Mess around with the away kit, but keep the home kit consistent.